On paper, this guy sure looks like good choice for city manager

Allow me to introduce Dana Robert Levenson. Most of you may never meet him, because he applied for the Worcester city manager's post and didn't make the cut.

We're not supposed to know this, as the search process was cloaked in secrecy and the City Council has moved forward with three finalists who will be interviewed next week. What we do know is that many are baffled by the trio of unremarkable finalists vying to manage New England's second-largest city.

"We want to hit a home run with this selection," Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton said last month. "The people in this city deserve nothing less."

Indeed — the people in this city deserve a grand slam. But we may have to settle for a single or even a walk.

The three finalists include the former manager of East Providence, who was fired last year and failed to get hired in Tisbury, a town of 4,000, in 2013; the former manager of Taos, New Mexico, who was replaced in March; and Worcester's longtime city solicitor. Fine men all, but hardly municipal rock stars.

As mentioned, Levenson was axed. Let's figure out why.

The 57-year-old Worcester native returned to his hometown three years ago and serves as chief financial officer for the state Department of Transportation. He manages a budget of $1.8 billion. Before that, he was managing director for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

From 2004 to 2007 he was chief financial officer for the city of Chicago. Maybe you've heard of it — blustery city in the midwest, third most populous in the nation? Levenson helped boost that city's long-term debt rating to 20-year highs.

Did I mention that he's a Worcester guy? His dad is the late Harry Levenson, founder of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. His family is stellar. His credentials are impeccable.

Levenson confirmed Wednesday that he applied for the post and was notified that he made the final 12. On July 29, he was told that his ratings from councilors had him tied for fourth place, and that the Municipal Operations Committee planned to interview five finalists. But there was also a tie for third place. Finally, on Aug. 6, he was told he would not be interviewed because he received low scores from two of the councilors.

Low scores? Based on his resume? I can see someone failing to wow during an interview. But Levenson wasn't even interviewed.

"I was disappointed," is all he would say.

Also disappointed is WTAG talk show host and former mayor Jordan Levy. "Why isn't this guy being considered?" he asked. "I've asked the question and I can't get an answer."

Some believe the fix is in for City Solicitor David Moore, a smart, efficient manager who would likely defer to the council on its policy agenda, should it ever actually develop one. Under that scenario, Moore would keep the seat warm until he retires in three years or so, at which point a hand-picked successor or even a strong mayor would replace him.

Others believe that some councilors rejected Levenson because he was supported by Roberta Schaefer, former head of The Research Bureau and veteran bane to elected officials. Wednesday, Schaefer said she was interviewed by the search firm and spoke highly of Levenson, and also "mentioned him to a few people."

Mayor Joseph Petty, one of the councilors who reportedly gave low marks to Levenson, wouldn't comment because the reviews were conducted in executive session.

So we'll never know whether Levenson would have aced his interview or tanked. We'll never know what he could have accomplished. But man, did he look good on paper. And I'll give our mayor the benefit of the doubt, and presume that Petty wasn't ... well, petty.